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Thursday, March 17, 2011

America Idol Season 10's Paul McDonald Sings "I Guess That's Why They call It the Blues" by Elton John on the Top 12 show. Idol contestants got to choose any song from their birth year. Paul was born in 1984. "Some killer tunes came out that year," says Paul.

Producer Jimmy Iovine noticed Paul's voice was hoarse during rehearsals, and warned him to "Please, come with your full voice for Wednesday night." It was pretty obvious Paul didn't recover his voice, and his performance almost looked painful... poor guy. He normally covers the stage with such swagger, but tonight, he just looked bored and uncomfortable...though that may have been the cold/laryngitis. The audience still loved him, and he received a standing ovation. "Baby, Baby, Baby," sang Jennifer Lopez, "I feel you. I know you felt like you were struggling up there. You have so much soul and so much star quality you overcame that. It happens. And it's whether or not you can make it happen, and you did.” Randy Jackson said, “I kinda differ with Jennifer a little bit...but I'm not gonna give you a pass because you have a cold. Some of the notes were very pitchy, and you were very under the first half of the song, pitch-wise. The thing about you I like...you’re like Ray Montagne. You try and find a way to make the song your own. You say 'I'm not Elton, I'm gonna put the Paul spin on it.' But get the notes right.” Eccentric Steven Tyler liked Paul's individual style. “You define a cool dude in a loose mood. Your swagger up there is way cool. You’re very distinctive. And I like that”

"I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" is a song by British singer Elton John featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica. The song received largely favourable reviews, with Bill Janovitz of Allmusic declaring the song "likely to stand the test of time as a standard." It was one of Elton John's most-played songs on the radio in the 1980's. It is also quite well known for being played at Chelsea FC's home matches (soccer).

The song appeared on the album Too Low for Zero. Released as a single in April 1983, the song reached #5 on the UK chart and #4 in the US chart six months later. The music video features two young lovers that are separated when he leaves for military training, and then they are finally reunited at the end of the song. It was filmed in the The Rivoli Ballroom in London and it is one of the very few times Elton John was filmed or videotaped without wearing his trademark eyeglasses.